Drilling stability

Shale stability is an important problem faced during drilling. Stability problems are attributed most often to the swelling of shales. It has been shown that several mechanisms can be involved [680,681]. These can be pore pressure diffusion, plasticity, anisotropy, capillary effects, osmosis, and physicochemical alterations. Three processes contributing to the instability of shales have to be considered [127] ... 

Semi-submersible rigs are often referred to as semis , and are a floating type of rig. Like the jack-up, a semi is self contained. The structure is supported by large pontoons which are ballasted with water to provide the required stability and height. The rig is held in position by anchors and mooring lines or dynamically positioned by thrusters. A large diameter steel pipe ( riser ) is connected to the sea-bed and serves as a conduit for the drill string. The blowout preventer (BOP) is also located at the sea-bed ( sub sea stack ). 

In the pre-development stage, core samples can be used to test the compatibility of injection fluids with the formation, to predict borehole stability under various drilling conditions and to establish the probability of formation failure and sand production. 

Cross-linked macromolecular gels have been prepared by Eriedel-Crafts cross-linking of polystyrene with a dihaloaromatic compound, or Eriedel-Crafts cross-linking of styrene—chloroalkyl styrene copolymers. These polymers in their sulfonated form have found use as thermal stabilizers, especially for use in drilling fluids (193). Cross-linking polymers with good heat resistance were also prepared by Eriedel-Crafts reaction of diacid haUdes with haloaryl ethers (194). 

Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), a nonionic thickening agent, is prepared from alkali cellulose and ethylene oxide in the presence of isopropyl alcohol (46). HEC is used in drilling muds, but more commonly in completion fluids where its acid-degradable nature is advantageous. Magnesium oxide stabilizes the viscosity-building action of HEC in salt brines up to 135°C (47). HEC concentrations are ca 0.6—6 kg/m (0.2—21b/bbl). 

Sodium chloride has long been used as a shale stabilizer because of low cost, wide availabiUty, and its presence in many subsurface formations. The inhibitive nature of salt muds increases as the salt content increases from seawater to saturated sodium chloride. In addition to the sodium chloride consumed aimuaHy for drilling fluid, considerable quantities are incorporated while drilling salt zones. This material has been used more for minimizing washouts in salt zones than for stabilizing shales. High salt levels have found appHcation in deep water drilling (7). 

Petroleum and Goal. The alkanolarnines have found wide use in the petroleum industry. The ethanolamines are used as lubricants and stabilizers in drilling muds. Reaction products of the ethan olamines and fatty acids are used as emulsion stabilizers, chemical washes, and bore cleaners (168). Oil recovery has been enhanced through the use of ethan olamine petroleum sulfonates (169—174). OH—water emulsions pumped from wells have been demulsifted through the addition of triethanolarnine derivatives. Alkanolarnines have been used in recovering coal in aqueous slurries and as coal—oil mix stabilizers (175—177). 

Mixtures containing sulfated castor oil were used to increase the lubricity of water base drilling fluids (123). Sulfated castor oil is also used in dishwashing compounds as a hand softener. A typical cleaning composition contains sodium dodecylben2ene sulfonate, sulfated castor oil, ethanol, and water. A sulfated derivative of castor oil is used as a dispersant for plaster of Paris, reducing the water needed to form a plastic slurry (124). Pesticide emulsions can be stabilized using ethoxylated castor oil (125). 

In the ease where the turbine and supports have a minimal eross seetion, then the ability to inerease the stiffness of these pedestals is minimized. Consequently, the objeetive is to eoneentrate on inereasing the mass of the pedestals. This inerease is aeeomplished by filling the eavities with a speeial mortar prepared with epoxy and steel shot. The density of this speeial mortar ean be in exeess of 300 pounds per eubie foot. To injeet this speeial mortar, a pipe has been installed in the aeeess hole that was drilled in the side of the pedestal near the top. These same teehniques ean be employed to stabilize the foundations under mueh smaller equipment. 

Oil drilling becomes more accurate because of the gyroscopic clinograph that stabilizes the drill. 

Proper control of the properties of drilling mud is very important for their preparation and maintenance. Although oil-base muds are substantially different from water-base muds, several basic tests (such as specific weight, API funnel viscosity, API filtration, and retort analysis) are run in the same way. The test interpretations, however, are somewhat different. In addition, oil-base muds have several unique properties, such as temperature sensitivity, emulsion stability, aniline point, and oil coating-water wettability that require other tests. Therefore, testing of water and oil-base muds will be considered separately. 

KCl-polymer (potassium chloride-polymer) muds can be classified as low solids-polymer muds or as inhibitive muds, due to their application to drilling in water-sensitive, sloughing shales. The use of polymers and the concentration of potassium chloride provide inhibition of shales and clays for maximum hole stability. The inverted flow properties (high yield point, low plastic viscosity) achieved with polymers and prehydrated bentonite provide good hole cleaning with minimum hole erosion. 

The stability of an emulsion mud is an important factor that has to be closely monitored while drilling. Poor stability results in coalescence of the dispersed phase, and the emulsion will separate into two distinct layers. Presence of oil in the emulsion mud filtrate is an indication of emulsion instability. 

Sources of Toxicity. There are three contributing mechanisms of toxicity in drilling fluids, chemistry of mud mixing and treatment, storage/disposal practices, and drilled rock. The first group conventionally has been known the best because it includes products deliberately added to the system to build and maintain the rheology and stability of drilling fluids. 

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